Mizoram is poised to celebrate a momentous occasion as the long-awaited rail link to Aizawl nears completion. The Bairabi-Sairang railway line, an essential infrastructure undertaking, is anticipated to be inaugurated this week. The introduction of this rail service will dramatically reduce travel time between Aizawl and Silchar to about three hours, a significant improvement from the current seven-hour road journey. Trains are designed to operate at speeds of up to 100 kmph.
The 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang railway line, built at an estimated cost of Rs 8,000 crore, showcases remarkable engineering in overcoming the challenges of the Mizoram terrain. The route includes 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges. The combined length of the tunnels amounts to 12,853 meters. Notably, bridge number 196 stands out at a height of 104 meters, exceeding the height of the Qutub Minar by 42 meters.
Further, the project encompasses 5 road over bridges and 6 road under bridges. The railway line is structured into four parts: Bairabi-Hortoki, Hortoki-Kawnpui, Kawnpui-Mualakhang, and Mualakhang–Sairang. The project will establish the first direct railway link to Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, improving the movement of both people and goods. This will also boost the socio-economic progress of the state, meeting a long-held demand of the people of Mizoram.
Earlier this year, the final section of the project, Hortoki to Sairang, received operational approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). The CRS conducted inspections on foot and using a motor trolley, followed by speed trials with an inspection train driven by a diesel engine. The final 29.5 km section, spanning hilly terrain, features 32 tunnels and 35 major bridges. With the CRS inspection completed in June 2025, the entire 51.38 km railway line is ready to revolutionize Mizoram’s transportation system.